Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using BRUFEN?
BRUFEN contains the active ingredient ibuprofen. BRUFEN is used to relieves pain and
reduces inflammation.
2. What should I know before I use BRUFEN?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to ibuprofen or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
For more information, see Section
2. What should I know before I use BRUFEN? in the full CMI.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use BRUFEN?
Your doctor will tell you how many BRUFEN tablets to take each day and when to take
them.
Take the exact amount your doctor tells you to, no more or less.
5. What should I know while using BRUFEN?
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Things you should do
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Tell any other doctors, dentists, surgeon, anaesthetist and pharmacists that are treating
you that you are taking this medicine.
Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you get an infection while taking this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you get any visual disturbances such as blurred vision.
Tell your doctor if for any reason, you have not taken your medicine exactly as prescribed.
Tell your doctor if you feel the medicine is not helping your condition.
Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.
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Things you should not do
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Do not take any other medicines to relieve pain and reduce inflammation while you
are taking BRUFEN without first telling your doctor.
Do not take BRUFEN to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give BRUFEN to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.
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Driving or using machines
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BRUFEN may cause dizziness or light-headedness, drowsiness or blurred vision in some
people.
If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything
else that could be dangerous.
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Looking after your medicine
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Keep the tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
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6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time
they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.
If you are over 65 years of age, you may have an increased chance of getting side
effects.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section
6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
Active ingredient(s):
ibuprofen
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using BRUFEN. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using BRUFEN.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using BRUFEN?
BRUFEN contains the active ibuprofen. BRUFEN belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(or NSAIDs).
BRUFEN relieves pain and reduces inflammation (swelling, redness or soreness) that
may occur:
in different types of arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
in muscle and bone injuries such as sprains, strains, lower back pain (lumbago), rheumatism,
and tendonitis, such as tennis elbow
from swelling and pain after setting broken or dislocated bones
menstrual cramps (period pain).
following surgery
due to dental pain
BRUFEN also relieves fever (high temperature).
Although BRUFEN can relieve the symptoms of pain and inflammation, it will not cure
your condition.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why BRUFEN has been prescribed for
you.
Your doctor may have prescribed BRUFEN for another reason.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
BRUFEN is not addictive.
2. What should I know before I use BRUFEN?
Warnings
Do not use BRUFEN if:
you are allergic to ibuprofen, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this
leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
aspirin or any other NSAID medicine.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
hives, itching or skin rash
stomach ache, fever, chills, nausea and vomiting.
fainting
Check with your doctor if you:
take any medicines for any other condition.
many medicines used to treat headache, period pain and other aches and pains contain
aspirin or NSAID medicines. If you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines,
ask your doctor or pharmacist.
have any allergies to any other substances, such as medicines, foods, preservatives
or dyes
are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Like most NSAID medicines, BRUFEN is not
recommended to be used during pregnancy. It may also impair female fertility.
are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. Like most NSAID medicines, BRUFEN is not
recommended while you are breast-feeding.
have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
heart disease or high blood pressure
heartburn, indigestion, stomach ulcer or any other stomach problems
vomiting blood or bleeding from the back passage
severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome
asthma
vision problems
liver or kidney disease
tendency to bleed or other blood problems
bowel or intestinal problems such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's Disease
heart failure
swelling of the ankles or feet
diarrhoea
currently have an infection. If you take BRUFEN while you have an infection, it may
hide some of the signs and symptoms of an infection. This may make you think, mistakenly,
that you are better or that it is not serious.
plan to have surgery.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
BRUFEN may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
BRUFEN passes into breast milk and may affect your baby.
Do not use BRUFEN if:
you have (or have previously) vomited blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.
you are (or have previously) bleeding from the rectum (back passage), have black sticky
bowel motions (stools) or bloody diarrhoea.
you have a condition resulting in an increased tendency to bleed.
you have a peptic ulcer (i.e. stomach or duodenal ulcer), a recent history of one,
or have had peptic ulcers before.
you have, or have a history of, Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease
you have severe heart failure
you have severe liver disease
you have severe kidney disease
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with BRUFEN and affect how it works.
These include:
aspirin, salicylates or other NSAID medicines
warfarin, medicines used to stop blood clots
lithium, a medicine used to treat some types of depression
SSRIs such as sertraline, medicines used to treat depression
various medicines used to treat high blood pressure or other heart conditions
medicines used to treat heart failure such as digoxin
diuretics, also called fluid tablets
methotrexate, a medicine used to treat arthritis and some types of cancer
corticosteroids, such as prednisone, cortisone
ciclosporin or tacrolimus, medicines used to treat certain problems with the immune
system or to help prevent organ transplant rejection
aminoglycosides, medicines used to treat certain infections
Gingko biloba, an herbal medicine used to thin the blood
quinolone antibiotics, medicines used to treat certain infections
zidovudine, a medicine used to treat HIV
colestyramine, a medicine used to treat high cholesterol
sulfonylureas, medicines to treat diabetes
voriconazole or fluconazole, medicines to treat certain fungal infections
mifepristone (RU-486), a medicine used to end a pregnancy
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect BRUFEN.
4. How do I use BRUFEN?
How much to take
Your doctor will tell you how many BRUFEN tablets to take each day and when to take
them.
Take the exact amount your doctor tells you to, no more or less.
Adults and Children Over 12 Years of Age
The usual daily dose of BRUFEN is one tablet taken three or four times a day.
In acute conditions, your doctor may prescribe two tablets three times a day.
Do not take more than six tablets in one day.
It is usual for elderly patients to be prescribed a smaller dose of BRUFEN.
Period Pain
The usual dose of BRUFEN is one to two tablets at the first sign of pain or menstrual
bleeding. Then take one tablet every 4 to 6 hours as necessary.
Do not take more than four tablets in one day.
Follow the instructions provided and use BRUFEN until your doctor tells you to stop.
When to use BRUFEN
BRUFEN should be used as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not take BRUFEN for longer than your doctor tells you to.
Depending on your condition, you may need BRUFEN for a few days, a few weeks or for
longer periods.
As with other NSAID medicines, if you are taking BRUFEN for arthritis, it will not
cure your condition, but it should help to control pain, swelling and stiffness.
BRUFEN usually begins to work within a few hours but several weeks may pass before
you feel the full effects of the medicine.
How to use BRUFEN
Take BRUFEN with or straight after food with a full glass of water.
This may help reduce the possibility of an upset stomach.
If you forget to use BRUFEN
BRUFEN should be used regularly at the same time each day. If you miss your dose at
the usual time, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your tablets
as you would normally.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next
dose when you are meant to.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you take too much BRUFEN
If you think that you have used too much BRUFEN, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
If you take too much BRUFEN you may experience the following:
feel sick or vomit
have stomach pain
have convulsions
feel tired, drowsy or lack energy
feel dizzy or even become unconscious
have a headache or ringing in the ears
unusual eye movements, shivering, confusion, interrupted or breathing difficulties
low blood pressure, low or rapid heart beat
5. What should I know while using BRUFEN?
Things you should do
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist
that you are taking BRUFEN.
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists that are treating you that you are
taking this medicine.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking
this medicine. NSAID medicines can slow down blood clotting.
If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
If you get an infection while taking this medicine, tell your doctor. BRUFEN may hide
some of the signs of an infection and may make you think mistakenly, that you are
better or that it is not serious. Signs of an infection may include fever, pain, swelling
and redness.
Tell your doctor if you get any visual disturbances such as blurred vision. You may
need to have an eye examination to make sure BRUFEN is not causing any side effects.
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken your medicine exactly as prescribed.
Otherwise your doctor may think that it was not effective and change your treatment
unnecessarily.
Tell your doctor if you feel the medicine is not helping your condition. This will
help your doctor to determine the best treatment for you.
Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Your doctor may want to take some blood tests from time to time. This helps to prevent
unwanted side effects.
Things you should not do
Do not take any other medicines to relieve pain and reduce inflammation while you
are taking BRUFEN without first telling your doctor. This includes:
aspirin (also called acetylsalicylic acid)
other medicines containing ibuprofen, the active ingredient in BRUFEN
any other NSAID medicine
Do not take BRUFEN to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give BRUFEN to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how BRUFEN
affects you.
As with other NSAID medicines, BRUFEN may cause dizziness or light-headedness, drowsiness
or blurred vision in some people.
If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything
else that could be dangerous.
Drinking alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
BRUFEN may cause some side effects including dizziness, headache and stomach problems.
Drinking alcohol with BRUFEN might make these side effects worse.
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Looking after your medicine
Keep the tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do
not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Serious side effects
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Rare serious side effects
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What to do
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severe pain or tenderness in the stomach
eye problems such as blurred vision, sore red eyes, itching
signs of frequent or worrying infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat
or mouth ulcers
bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, reddish or purplish blotches under the
skin
signs of anaemia, such as tiredness, headaches, being short of breath, and looking
pale
yellowing of the skin and/or eyes, also called jaundice
unusual weight gain, swelling of ankles or legs
tingling of the hands and feet
symptoms of sunburn (such as redness, itching, swelling, blistering) which may occur
more quickly than normal
severe or persistent headache
fast or irregular heartbeats, also called palpitations
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Call your doctor straight away if you notice any of these serious side effects, you
may need urgent medical attention.
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Very rare serious side effects
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What to do
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vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
bleeding from the back passage, black sticky bowel motions (stools) or bloody diarrhoea
swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
asthma, wheezing, shortness of breath
sudden or severe itching, skin rash, hives
severe blisters and bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals (Stevens
Johnson Syndrome)
fever, generally feeling unwell, nausea, stomach ache, headache and stiff neck
hearing difficulties, ringing in the ears
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Stop taking BRUFEN and tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency
at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.
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BRUFEN may be associated with a small increased risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction).
Blood disorders and kidney problems may occur with BRUFEN.
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention
or hospitalisation.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What BRUFEN contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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400 mg of ibuprofen
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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microcrystalline cellulose
croscarmellose sodium
lactose monohydrate
colloidal anhydrous silica
sodium lauryl sulfate
magnesium stearate
hypromellose
purified talc
titanium dioxide
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Potential allergens
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sugars as lactose
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What BRUFEN looks like
BRUFEN are white, pillow shaped film-coated tablets (AUST R 80659).
The tablets are available in a blister pack containing 30 tablets.
Who distributes BRUFEN
Viatris Pty Ltd
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 274 276
BRUFEN® is a Viatris company trade mark.
8. Things that would be helpful for your arthritis
Some self-help measures suggested below may help your condition.
Talk to your doctor, physiotherapist, or pharmacist about these measures and for more
information.
Weight
Your doctor may suggest losing some weight to reduce the stress on your joints.
Exercise
May be recommended by your doctor or physiotherapist to help keep or improve movement
and strengthen muscles.
Ask a physiotherapist for an exercise plan suited to your condition.
As a general rule if any exercise hurts then do not do it.
Rest
Is important and is usually balanced with exercise and activity. Rest is needed when
joints are hot, swollen or painful.
Heat
Hot showers or baths may help to ease the pain and relax the muscles that can become
tense with arthritis. Your physiotherapist or doctor can prescribe other forms of
heat treatment.
Physical Aids
Are available to help with daily household tasks. For example, there are gadgets and
aids to help turn on taps, remove screw tops, pick up objects and handles that can
be fitted in bathrooms. Ask your doctor for more information.
This leaflet was prepared in July 2024.
BRUFEN_cmi\Jul24/00